Translation: Turtle Cradle
The turtle cradle attacks a turtled opponent by threading the arms around both the head and one leg, linking the hands to fold the opponent out of their protective shell. [1] The attacker approaches from the side of the turtle, hooks one arm around the opponent's neck and the other around the near thigh, then clasps the hands to lock the cradle. [1],[2] Rolling or driving the turtled opponent onto their back while maintaining the cradle fold creates cervical flexion stress as the head is compressed toward the hooked knee. [2] The turtle cradle is a wrestling-derived technique that serves the dual purpose of breaking down the turtle defence and threatening a neck crank submission. [2],[3]
Cradle attacks against the turtle are fundamental techniques in folkstyle and Greco-Roman wrestling, used to turn opponents for exposure or pin. [1] The submission adaptation emerged as grapplers recognised that the traditional wrestling cradle generated sufficient spinal stress to force a tap in submission rulesets. [2],[3]
The turtle cradle locks the turtled opponent's head to knee, creating a crank and control position that can lead to a pin or submission. [1]
Turtle cradles were developed in wrestling as attacks against the turtle/referee's position. [1]
Turtle cradles are used in wrestling competition as pinning techniques and in MMA as control positions. [1]
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Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
Cervical flexion cranks force the chin toward the chest, compressing the anterior cervical spine
Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably
Whether this technique is allowed under major competition rule sets
Japanese BJJ/Judo β δΊ (kame) = turtle position
Japanese terminology sourced from Japanese BJJ/Judo β δΊ (kame) = turtle position
Standard Japanese martial arts terminology (kanji/hiragana)
Established Japanese martial arts naming convention β native Japanese term (εθͺ/ζΌ’θͺ)
Japanese terminology sourced from Japanese BJJ/Judo β δΊ (kame) = turtle position
grip or squeeze strength, positional control
strong upper body for sustained compression
forearms, biceps, pectorals, core stabilisers
According to Jason Scully, the key is to maintain a hip connection with your opponent. This connection makes it significantly harder for them to execute escapes or reversals, particularly roll-through techniques.
Jason Scully emphasizes that when you have a solid hip connection and your opponent tries to grab your arm to roll through, the hip control makes the reversal attempt much more difficult to execute.
The turtle cradle attacks a turtled opponent by threading the arms around both the head and one leg, linking the hands to fold the opponent out of their protective shell. The attacker approaches from the side of the turtle, hooks one arm around the opponent's neck and the other around the near thigh, then clasps the hands to lock the cradle.
Cradle attacks against the turtle are fundamental techniques in folkstyle and Greco-Roman wrestling, used to turn opponents for exposure or pin. The submission adaptation emerged as grapplers recognised that the traditional wrestling cradle generated sufficient spinal stress to force a tap in submission rulesets.
IBJJF: legal β Legal at all belt levels, gi and no-gi β chokes are the safest submission catβ¦; IJF: legal β Legal (shime-waza) β strangulation techniques are one of three permitted submβ¦; ADCC: legal β Legal; Unified MMA: legal β Legal β choke submissions are among the most common finishes in MMA; FIAS Sport Sambo: banned β All chokes prohibited in Sport Sambo; FIAS Combat Sambo: legal β Legal
Danger rating 8/10. Cervical flexion cranks force the chin toward the chest, compressing the anterior cervical spine
The standard setup chain: Establish Position β Create the Threat β Secure the Hold β Finish.
Standard counters include: Early Recognition β identify the submission attempt early and begin defence immediately / Posture and Base β maintain strong posture and base to prevent submission setups / Grip Fight β deny the attacker their preferred gripping configuration.
Common variants: Standard grip variation (primary hand configuration for maximum choking pressure); Gi variation (uses the lapel or collar as an anchor for additional fricβ¦); No-gi variation (adapted grip and positioning for submission grappling witβ¦); Transition finish (applied during a positional change to catch the opponent β¦).
Turtle cradles are used in wrestling competition as pinning techniques and in MMA as control positions.
Top errors to watch for: Attempting the cradle from directly behind the turtle β approach from the side to access the head and knee; from direβ¦ / Not rolling the opponent after locking β the cradle from turtle requires a rolling motion to turn the opponent; simplβ¦ / Using a loose cradle lock β the hands must connect firmly; a loose connection allows the turtled opponent to extend aβ¦ / Not following the roll with positional advancement β the cradle roll exposes the back; immediately establish hooks orβ¦.
The Turtle Cradle is also known as Kame Yurikago, Turtle Position Cradle, Turtle Breakdown Cradle.
